Cheoy Lee Flying Buffalo 36 Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

The Flying Buffalo 36 was designed to excel in the light-to-moderate airs of the Great Lakes, a characteristic that translates well to coastal racing and cruising today. With a relatively high sail area-to-displacement ratio for its time, the boat is known for its ability to "ghost" along when heavier cruisers are forced to engine-sail. The hull employs a moderate beam and a fine entry, allowing it to point higher than the more traditional "Offshore" series of Cheoy Lee yachts.

According to historical racing logs from the Bayview Mackinac Race, the original design's success was attributed to its balanced helm and ability to maintain speed through a chop. In the production fiberglass version, the separate spade rudder provides significantly more "bite" and responsiveness than a keel-hung rudder. This makes the Buffalo 36 highly maneuverable in tight quarters, though it lacks the directional "tracks-on-rails" stability of a full-keel boat, requiring a more active hand at the tiller or wheel when sailing off-the-wind in a following sea.

Interior Comfort & Variations

True to the Cheoy Lee heritage, the interior of the Flying Buffalo 36 is a showcase of old-world joinery. While the exterior hull is fiberglass, the interior is typically finished in extensive Burmese teak, including the bulkheads, cabinetry, and soles. The layout is a standard offshore configuration: a V-berth forward, followed by a head and hanging locker, a central salon with settee berths, and a compact galley and navigation station flanking the companionway.

While the "Flying Buffalo" was the performance-oriented sibling, Maury DeClercq also designed several other models for the yard that shared certain aesthetic or structural DNA. These siblings include the Offshore 31 and the more robust Offshore 36, which utilized a similar length but featured a more conservative underwater profile. Buyers should note that while the Buffalo 36 was built to a performance standard, the interior weight of the teak can vary. Some hulls were finished with lighter veneers to preserve racing performance, while others were "loaded" with solid teak for a more luxurious cruising feel. Headroom is generally reported as adequate for sailors up to 6'1", though the cabin trunk tapers forward, reducing vertical space in the V-berth area.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Prospective owners of a Cheoy Lee Flying Buffalo 36 must contend with the specific maintenance requirements of 1960s-70s composite construction.

• Teak Deck Integration: Like most Cheoy Lees of this era, the Flying Buffalo often features a "teak over fiberglass" deck. The teak planks were frequently fastened with hundreds of screws into a balsa or plywood core. Over decades, these screw holes can allow water to migrate into the core, leading to delamination and rot. A percussion test and moisture meter reading of the decks are mandatory.
• Spade Rudder Integrity: The spade rudder is a performance advantage but a structural vulnerability. The rudder post and internal framing should be inspected for signs of "wicking" or swelling, which can indicate water ingress into the rudder blade itself.
• Chainplates and Bulkheads: The stainless steel chainplates are often glassed in or hidden behind teak cabinetry. Inspect the points where the stays meet the deck for leaks, as water traveling down the chainplates can rot the wooden bulkheads that provide the boat’s structural rigidity.
• Engine Access: Access to the original Universal or Perkins diesel engines can be cramped. Many units have been repowered with Yanmar or Beta Marine engines; buyers should prioritize boats where the exhaust riser and raw water intake have been modernized to prevent siphoning.

Community & Resources

The primary hub for technical data and historical documentation for this model is the Cheoy Lee Association, a comprehensive resource maintained by owners that includes original brochures, design drawings by Maury DeClercq, and a database of hull numbers. This group provides invaluable insights into specific refit projects, such as removing the teak decks or reinforcing the rudder post.

The Verdict

The Cheoy Lee Flying Buffalo 36 is a "gentleman’s racer" that offers a unique blend of 1960s competitive pedigree and timeless maritime aesthetics. It is an ideal choice for the sailor who appreciates the look of a classic wooden boat but desires the lower maintenance of a fiberglass hull and the agility of a fin-keel design.

Pros:

• Superior light-air performance compared to most vintage Cheoy Lee models.
• Exquisite interior joinery that is rarely matched in modern production boats.
• Responsive handling due to the separate spade rudder and DeClercq hull form.

Cons:

• High maintenance requirements associated with the "teak sandwich" deck construction.
• Older fiberglass builds may be prone to osmotic blistering if not previously treated.
• Less directional stability than full-keel cruisers, requiring more attention during long passages.